An Evaluation of the Battelle Developmental Inventory for Determining Special Education Eligibility

The implementation of P.L. 99-457 requires the identification of appropriate instruments for use in making program eligibility decisions for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. One test that has been recommended for this purpose is the Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI; Newborg, Stock, Wnek, Guidubaldi, & Svinicki, 1984). This paper provides a review of the technical characteristics of the BDI that would support its use for this purpose. Information presented in the test manual on standardization, reliability, and validity of the BDI suggests that its use as a normative measure for purposes of determining program eligibility is not supported.